Home US How Meghan Played the LONG Game: From an Actress in Statement Minidresses to the Sophisticated, Sleek Silhouettes of a True Duchess

How Meghan Played the LONG Game: From an Actress in Statement Minidresses to the Sophisticated, Sleek Silhouettes of a True Duchess

by Jack
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Meghan Markle attends the Fall Night Opening Gala at the American Ballet Theatre, New York, in 2013

She’s come a long way since she was a “suitcase girl” on Deal or No Deal.

We certainly saw a different Meghan when the actress joined the cast of legal soap Suits, her breakout role, in 2011.

But the real change came since she married a member of the Royal Family in 2018.

If the color palette remains similar, Meghan, now the Duchess of Sussex, has consistently adopted longer, slimmer silhouettes for a suitably sophisticated look.

Reports that she has teamed up with former Juicy Couture creative director Jamie Mizrahi only add to the sense that Meghan is eager to relaunch, along with her new business brand. Orchard of the American Riviera.

Mizrah, who also lives in Montecito, California, has had a long-term working relationship with Meghan’s neighbor Katy Perry, as well as The Hunger Games actress Jennifer Lawrence.

Here, we look back at some of Meghan’s fashion highlights over the years, and her evolving style as the Duchess plays the long game…

Fresh camel tones

Meghan at the Variety Power of Women event in Los Angeles in 2023

Meghan Markle continues to wear camel tones, mostly in the form of longer dresses these days.

One of Meghan Markle’s most notable appearances was at the Variety Power of Women 2023 event in Los Angeles.

The former actress wowed viewers as she posed for photos in a Proenza Schouler dress, featuring an asymmetrical, off-the-shoulder neckline and thigh-high side slits.

Previously, in 2013, Meghan donned a one-shoulder Lanvin dress, in a similar caramel hue, to a gala at the American Ballet Theatre.

At that moment, she told him Hello! Canada: ‘I love this Lanvin dress and wearing neutral colors from head to toe. Always elongate your figure, especially with nude Louboutins.

She continued, “I love this look because it speaks to my personal aesthetic: elegant and simple.”

spicy in red

Meghan Markle photographed for the second series of Deal or No Deal in 2006

Meghan attends the 2021 Salute to Freedom Gala at the Intrepid Sea Air Space Museum in New York in 2021

Meghan has worn bright red dresses on several occasions.

Meghan enjoyed a red carpet moment when she attended a Veterans Day gala in New York with Prince Harry in 2021.

She looked radiant in a scarlet silk Carolina Herrera dress, paired with Giuseppe Zanotti slingbacks, her favorite Birks earrings, and a Love de Cartier bracelet.

The Duchess has long been in love with the vibrant shade of letterbox red. Already in 2006, during her appearance on Deal or No Deal, she wore a minidress of the same shade.

Meghan’s love of red demonstrates her timeless, bold yet elegant fashion sense.

Denim dresses

Meghan leaves the recording of the Today Show at the NBC Rockefeller Center studios in New York in 2016

Meghan attends the Berkshire Polo Club in 2018

Meghan’s dress inspired by her pre-Duchess days in a Carolina Herrera dress (right)

Meghan took inspiration from her pre-duchess days when she chose a Carolina Herrera dress to watch Harry play polo.

The denim design incorporated a wrap front, wide belt and mid-length skirt, perfectly complemented by Aquazzura heels and J Crew handbag in cream tones.

Similarly, two years earlier, she donned a navy blue Yigal Azrouel shirt dress for an appearance on the Today Show at NBC Rockefeller Center Studios in New York.

Pairing it with Sarah Flint leopard-print pumps and a black patent leather bag, the actress showed off her playful side.

windy pants

Meghan attends NBC New York's summer press day at the Four Seasons Hotel New York in 2015

Meghan pictured at the Invictus Games One Year To Go event in Düsseldorf in 2022

Meghan wore cream wide-leg pants in 2015 (left) and 2022 (right)

Meghan confidently posed for photos at NBC New York’s Summer Press Day, held at the Four Seasons Hotel in 2015.

The highlight of her outfit was a pair of off-white pants, designed by her friend and fashion designer, Misha Nonoo.

Most recently, at an event at the 2022 Invictus Games in Dusseldorf, the duchess wore a similar style by Brandon Maxwell.

Made from wool-blend twill, these pants had a belted waist and soft pleats that accentuated their relaxed shape.

To complete her stylish ensemble, Meghan opted for an Anine Bing knit top that showed off her shoulders and offered a new take on the look.

short suits

Meghan leaves the taping of The Today Show at the NBC Rockefeller Center studios in New York in 2016

Meghan photographed during the sixth day of the Invictus Games in Düsseldorf in 2023

The Duchess of Sussex has been wearing short suits for several years

The Duchess of Sussex has consistently shown her predilection for short suits, a style she has preferred for some time.

This was particularly evident during his appearance on The Today Show in 2016.

Meghan looked effortlessly glamorous in a striped two-piece suit from Veronica Beard, enhanced by sky-high pumps and a blow-dry.

While she still prefers to wear shorts, Meghan now tends to pair them with flat shoes, as demonstrated during the Invictus Games 2023.

Jeans and white shirt

Meghan attends the Dove Self-Esteem Project event held at the Earl Bales Community Center in Toronto, Canada, in 2015.

Meghan Markle attends wheelchair tennis on day three of the Invictus Games in Toronto in 2017

Jeans and a white shirt are a safe option for Meghan Markle

Meghan Markle has often relied on a foolproof combination of jeans and a white shirt.

On her first public outing with Prince Harry, Meghan wore Misha Nonoo’s ‘Husband’ shirt, with ripped skinny jeans and flats.

The couple was attending the Invictus Games in Toronto two months before announcing their engagement.

Meghan’s relaxed California girl style was an appropriate and welcome choice for the occasion.

Fitted and flared silhouettes

Meghan attends Milan Fashion Week in 2014

Meghan and Prince Harry pose with their newborn son Archie in 2019

Meghan wears fit-and-flare white dresses in 2014 (left) and 2019 (right)

Meghan appreciates the flattering, simple aesthetic of a fit-and-flare dress.

The duchess has shown designs of this type before and after becoming a mother.

However, in more recent years, Meghan has leaned toward mid-length silhouettes, as seen in her choice of a Wales Bonner design for her first public photo with her son Archie.

She paired her dress with nude pumps, marking a change from her previous preference for bolder colors or crocodile prints.

Color block prints

Meghan attends a 2013 fashion launch in New York

Meghan photographed during the sixth day of the Invictus Games 2023

Meghan looks beautiful in blue dresses of different lengths

The Duchess of Sussex wowed in two color-blocked blue dresses a decade apart.

Although they shared similar design elements, these dresses differed noticeably in length.

Attending a fashion launch in 2013, Meghan flaunted her pins in a breezy Diane von Furstenberg minidress.

Fast forward to the 2023 Invictus Games, she opted for a long shirt dress in similar shades from Carolina Herrera, demonstrating her evolving fashion sense.

Monochrome

Meghan Markle at the 2007 Golden Globe Suites

Meghan leaves Locanda Verde in New York after having dinner with friends in 2022

Meghan has shown off her signature ‘stylish and simple’ style in monochrome outfits

As Meghan herself said, her natural style is “elegant and simple,” which explains her preference for monochrome ensembles.

In one of her first public appearances as an actress at the 2007 Golden Globe Suites, Meghan wore a black and white ABS Allen Schwartz dress.

The bandeau style was completed with oversized bow details and a puffy skirt.

Later in 2022, she wore a sophisticated strapless jumpsuit by Gabriela Hearst, continuing her penchant for understated elegance.

Meghan swapped her statement metallic heels for barely-there sandals and finished the look with a burgundy Bottega Veneta bag.

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